Posted: Dec 04, 2025
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Saginaw Valley State University men's basketball fell 76-70 at Davenport on Thursday, suffering its first loss of the season. The Cardinals (5-1, 0-1 GLIAC) could not overcome a sluggish start and dropped their GLIAC opener.
"They [Davenport] did a great job of doing some different things that we haven't seen all year," said head coach Chris Fowler. "It started with our energy and intensity. They were able to raise theirs, and we weren't able to raise ours and that is why they came out with the win."
Xavier Thomas (Detroit, Mich.) led the way for SVSU with 27 points that were fueled by eight trips to the free throw line, where he finished 15-of-17 from the charity stripe in the game.
Davenport controlled the opening 20 minutes, using an 11–0 run early and holding SVSU to just 28.1% shooting in the first half. The Cardinals trailed 37–25 at halftime, struggling to find rhythm offensively while the Panthers consistently capitalised on second-chance opportunities and turnovers.
Thomas scored 21 of his 27 points after the break, going 11–13 at the line. SVSU produced 45 second-half points, shot 43.3%, and cut a 19-point deficit to two with 1:53 left, which was their closest margin.
SVSU tied it at 68–68 on a Bryson Huckeby (Freeland, Mich.) three with 2:51 left and went up 70–68 on Kevonne Taylor's (Detroit, Mich. / Chandler Park HS) putback at 1:53.
Davenport answered with an 8–0 run. Ken Walker scored key points, finishing with 25, while Davenport dominated the boards late, ending with a 44–38 rebounding edge and 15 second-chance points.
Thomas also had three rebounds. Taylor added 12 points and five boards, and Marquese Josephs (Mississauga, Ontario) scored 13 with five rebounds. Huckeby totaled six points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals on the night.
UP NEXT: The Cardinals will remain on the road to face conference foe Grand Valley State on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. (ET).
